Charlize Theron adopts a baby boy

A rep for the Oscar-winning actress, 36, confirmed the news in a statement, saying: "Charlize Theron has adopted a child. She is the proud mum of a healthy baby boy named Jackson."

No other details, including where the child is from, and where the adoption took place, have been released.

But according to Us Weekly, Theron's baby boy is African-American and was born in the United States.

"She has always wanted to be a mum," a source told the magazine. "She is glad to be able to do it on her own now and is so happy to be a mum."

This is the first child for Theron, who split from long-term boyfriend Stuart Townsend in January 2010 after nine years together.

The Young Adult star told In Touch magazine last August that she was ready to start a family.

"I want a baby. If it would happen tomorrow I would be very happy."

She added: "There are so many unwanted children on this earth and it's our job to care for them. And if we don't we're doing the world a disservice."

The South African-born actress also shared in the December 2011 issue of Vogue: "I do want to have kids, yeah. I always have. I've never had a rush for it, a moment where I really wanted to do it. I don't have a panic about it."

Theron will next be seen on the big screen as Evil Queen Ravenna in Snow White and the Huntsman opposite Kristen Stewart.